I never bothered taking either of the girls to our local Community Health for checkups. I just took them to our regular GP if they were sick, or for things like immunisations, and never had a problem. Both girls thrived, I never had any doubts about their weight gain or health, so it didn't bother me. Actually I think I took DD2 to one 'drop-in' appt with the MCHN, it was the day Michael Jackson died (I remember watching the news on the TV in the waiting room, absolutely shocked to the core) but the MCHN was critical of my parenting methods (I told her I was co-sleeping and BFing on demand) so I just didn't bother going back. My GP wasn't a fan of us co-sleeping either but always expressed her concern and advised me to be 'fully informed' in a much kinder way than the MCHN so I preferred to go to her
I didn't after the first couple of appts. Didn't see the point, saw the GP for all regular needles, etc. I just weighed DD1 when I felt like it in between, at chemists and the like. I did take DD1 back for her two year old check up, but that was it. No real reason, other than that they went through a few developmental things at two and no real need before that.
I very rarely go, but I regularly see a pead for my two youngest.
I found that they didn't really have much experience with very early prems and because both of them where never on the charts she would make me feel like I was starving them and I was neglectful. She also seemed to expect they reach all their milestones for actual age
Ds went to one check up at 2 weeks I think it was and we had a pead visit which happend to fall around the 6 wk mark. He hasnt seen anyone since including a gp. There if nothing we wanted to ask and ds is healthy. Oh forgot to add, we haven't had any problems as we haven't been to any main stream medical people for them to say anything! I'd like to see the look on their face when I confidently give them 'what for' if they were to be rude about our choices
Last edited by Cherished; October 25th, 2011 at 12:31 PM.
Yes. I went with DS, & they made me feel like crap when I asked about comp feeding him. I needed to make the switch as I was going back to work & had tried expressing without success. Even though they didn't "say" anything, they gave me that "look" that says everything IYKWIM. So I didn't go back & didn't take DD in at all. I figured I would be able to tell if she wasn't growing properly & if I had a problem I could go to my GP who also specialises in kids.
Me, I havent taken Annabel to one. I did with, my first two children, but I have enough support and see a GP for Annabels checkups and weigh her at the chemist weekly to check shes putting on weight.
Never have taken DS. The service was inconvenient so we just used the GP. Then we moved here and it's even worse, so I guess it will be the same for this one.
My first one was actually really awesome - she was supportive of co-sleeping and a BF advocate and really didn't care much about parenting as long as we were happy so I saw her lots because I found the reassurance and support comforting. Since my Mum is dead and my MIL has subtle undermining down to an art form I kind of needed the IRL validation that I was doing ok.
With my second I had moved to a different area and there were a couple of nurses and they were all kinds of annoying so I only went once.
I was really happy with my MCHN, and I used a different centre for each of my babies. We have 2 centres very close to us. I've never taken either of them back after 6 weeks though, purely because I never needed to, my GP is like a friend to me so I just make an appt with her (she's close as well! Im very lucky!!)
Both the MCHN centres gave different advice regarding comp feeding (DD received comp FF upon being advised to, DS did not) and co-sleeping.
I was also more knowledgable 2nd time around though, and far more confident, relaxed and happy. Perhaps that's why different advice was encouraged for me? Yeah probably, it was.
Do whatever feels right, but there's no harm in a visit
We take DD. The MCHN we see is awesome, she supports and encourages BLS, BF, co-sleeping, attachment parenting and baby wearing. Like Onyx, it's great just getting that validation an reassurance from someone like-minded.
Similarly to Onyx and PZ - I go because it makes me feel good about how I am doing IYKWIM.
I also like to know how they are going in their growth etc.
And lastly, it is good to be able to see someone that is more independent than a GP that can put a bit of a monitor on my mental health.
On top of that the first two visits so far she has been able to help me talk through the birth of DD, and that was invaluable.
I do tend to not tell them things they don't want to hear - my current one would not support co-sleeping for example.
So I don't tell her about it. The way I do it (when I need to) is safe, so I am not worried.
She is a lactation consultant so I know that I don't need to worry about BFing, it also means I know where I can access one if and when necessary.
My last one thought bLS was great so that was reassuring for me.
Also some MCH centres, depending on the local council organise mum's groups.
My one doesn't, absolutely shattered as I am too anxious to just rock up to a playgroup to meet people.
I took DD to all the appts up until whichever age the one is before the 18 months one...? When I took DS to his 6 week check she noticed DD hadn't had it and did the check then, even though she was over 25 months my then. I had DS's 8 month check booked a few weeks ago, but when I got there the doors were locked and no one was there I haven't called to rebook and don't think I will. I have always dreaded going cause she is rather strange and I find her really patronising, but kept going cause I felt like people would think I was a bad mother if I didn't go to the check ups. I think I will take this last situation as a reason not to go back. If I have any concerns with their development I will take them to the GP.
With DD1 the MCHN that we saw was a moron and potentially dangerous for families that were suffering mental illness (she made comments to me that PND doesnt exist, that it's just an excuse for parents to hurt their children ).
With DD2 we had moved and so had a new MCHN, she was lovely and we got on great guns, but then she moved and i got an old school lady that had issues with us having a HB, doing BLS and using amber teething necklaces lol. so we stopped bothering as we werent really getting anything from her. no support, or relevant information.
My first MCHN always made me feel like crap and whenever I mentioned anything I was concerned about she automatically directed me to groups like Panda etc because we had lost a baby before DD. IF she actually bothered to listen she would have known I was concerned about THIS baby and some early issues we had with her
Then I found out through a friend who lives int he neighbouring Shire and she said how fab her MCHN was so I made an appointment with her and it turned out I actually knew the MCHN from my time in hossy with my first baby. She knew my history and was able to address any concerns I had so I have never looked back.
I ONLY see her for DD but if it hadn't been for finding her I wouldn't have gone the MCHN in my closest town again and now I JUST go into the Drs for DD's jabs as the nurse in there is lovely too.
My first one sucked but dd1 was a premmie do my pead asked me to go, it was either that or pay to see him. Finally got a good one with dd2, so went with her and got great advice and she knew my pead, they had worked together so I trusted her then she left. Wasn't going to go at all with ds but he was struggling with weight loss and reflux, he lost 20% of his birth weight and barely put on 50g a week so again my pead made me go. Now that he is thriving I have stopped as we moved and don't like the one here.
Does anyone not go to the health centre?
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I haven't called to rebook and don't think I will. I have always dreaded going cause she is rather strange and I find her really patronising, but kept going cause I felt like people would think I was a bad mother if I didn't go to the check ups. I think I will take this last situation as a reason not to go back. If I have any concerns with their development I will take them to the GP.
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